Win XP re-installation on new computer

[Mark C.]

I've got a valid WinXP Pro CD and have ran through the Microsoft Windows
Genuine Advantage (WGA) and Windows Product Activation (WPA) hurdles in the
last year as I've added a new hard drive and memory. I just re-certified
myself at:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx

I've also ran the XPInfo program on my machine, and it indicates the changes
to my hard drive and memory configurations. 2 strikes already! I'm thinking
now of replacing my motherboard, going to a Dual Core Pentium. This will
also be new DDR2 memory.

My question is, doesn't this WPA process allow significant changes (IE more
than the 2 strikes I already have) after a period of time? With a new MoBo,
RAM, Hard Drive, MAC address, Graphics Adapter, IDE Controller,
yada-yada-yada, I will certainly fail the WPA process.

Anyone else done this or know where to point me before I undertake this
upgrade?

Thanks in advance,

Mark C.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I've got a valid WinXP Pro CD and have ran through the Microsoft Windows
Genuine Advantage (WGA) and Windows Product Activation (WPA) hurdles in the
last year as I've added a new hard drive and memory. I just re-certified
myself at:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx

I've also ran the XPInfo program on my machine, and it indicates the changes
to my hard drive and memory configurations. 2 strikes already! I'm thinking
now of replacing my motherboard, going to a Dual Core Pentium. This will
also be new DDR2 memory.

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations
and licenses are not transferable to a new motherboard - check yours
before starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical
(same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the
one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll
need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at
the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with
licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this
point. You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the
OS. (If you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as
picking up a Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch
style foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K
before it, is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to
accepting any old hardware configuration you throw at it. On
installation it "tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This
is one of the reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much
more stable than the Win9x group.

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a
Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more
than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key,
you'll most likely be able to activate via the Internet without
problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone
call.

My question is, doesn't this WPA process allow significant changes (IE more
than the 2 strikes I already have) after a period of time? With a new MoBo,
RAM, Hard Drive, MAC address, Graphics Adapter, IDE Controller,
yada-yada-yada, I will certainly fail the WPA process.

Why do you use the term "fail," and why does it concern you so? So
what if you upgrade your computer and then have to re-activate? It's
not a big deal.

There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is there ever a
charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an evaluation
license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120 days since you last
activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to
activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you might
have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Anyone else done this or know where to point me before I undertake this
upgrade?

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I've got a valid WinXP Pro CD and have ran through the Microsoft
Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) and Windows Product Activation
(WPA) hurdles in the last year as I've added a new hard drive and
memory. I just re-certified myself at:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx

I've also ran the XPInfo program on my machine, and it indicates
the changes to my hard drive and memory configurations. 2 strikes
already! I'm thinking now of replacing my motherboard, going to a
Dual Core Pentium. This will also be new DDR2 memory.

My question is, doesn't this WPA process allow significant changes
(IE more than the 2 strikes I already have) after a period of time?
With a new MoBo, RAM, Hard Drive, MAC address, Graphics Adapter,
IDE Controller, yada-yada-yada, I will certainly fail the WPA
process.
Anyone else done this or know where to point me before I undertake
this upgrade?

Backup your data, replace your hardware, perform an in-place repair
installation, *may* (likely) have to re-activate, continue using Windows XP
to your hearts delight.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

 

[Guest]

The important point is what version of install do you have if OEM, changing
the MB requires you get a new license, if the full version, no new license is
required.
OEM is tied to the hardware (MB) ie change the MB, You just got a new
computer according to the new WGA BS

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Shenan Stanley wrote:

I've got a valid WinXP Pro CD and have ran through the Microsoft
Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) and Windows Product Activation
(WPA) hurdles in the last year as I've added a new hard drive and
memory. I just re-certified myself at:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx

I've also ran the XPInfo program on my machine, and it indicates
the changes to my hard drive and memory configurations. 2 strikes
already! I'm thinking now of replacing my motherboard, going to a
Dual Core Pentium. This will also be new DDR2 memory.

My question is, doesn't this WPA process allow significant changes
(IE more than the 2 strikes I already have) after a period of
time? With a new MoBo, RAM, Hard Drive, MAC address, Graphics
Adapter, IDE Controller, yada-yada-yada, I will certainly fail
the WPA process.
Anyone else done this or know where to point me before I undertake
this upgrade?

Backup your data, replace your hardware, perform an in-place repair
installation, *may* (likely) have to re-activate, continue using
Windows XP to your hearts delight.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

The important point is what version of install do you have if OEM,
changing the MB requires you get a new license, if the full
version, no new license is required.
OEM is tied to the hardware (MB) ie change the MB, You just got a
new computer according to the new WGA BS

No where does anything unequivically state that replacing the motherboard
constitutes a new computer.
That is a falsehood.

You could probably (in reality) get away with replacing everything but the
CDROM audio cable and claim to still have the same computer you had when you
first installed. And technically speaking - you could replace everything
and reinstall and probably be fine in doing so.

 

[Guest]

You missed the OEM part of what I said, OEM is tied to the motherboard if new
MB then new license is required.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I've got a valid WinXP Pro CD and have ran through the Microsoft
Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) and Windows Product Activation
(WPA) hurdles in the last year as I've added a new hard drive and
memory. I just re-certified myself at:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx

I've also ran the XPInfo program on my machine, and it indicates
the changes to my hard drive and memory configurations. 2 strikes
already! I'm thinking now of replacing my motherboard, going to a
Dual Core Pentium. This will also be new DDR2 memory.

My question is, doesn't this WPA process allow significant changes
(IE more than the 2 strikes I already have) after a period of
time? With a new MoBo, RAM, Hard Drive, MAC address, Graphics
Adapter, IDE Controller, yada-yada-yada, I will certainly fail
the WPA process.
Anyone else done this or know where to point me before I undertake
this upgrade?

Backup your data, replace your hardware, perform an in-place
repair installation, *may* (likely) have to re-activate, continue
using Windows XP to your hearts delight.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

The important point is what version of install do you have if OEM,
changing the MB requires you get a new license, if the full
version, no new license is required.
OEM is tied to the hardware (MB) ie change the MB, You just got a
new computer according to the new WGA BS

No where does anything unequivically state that replacing the
motherboard constitutes a new computer.
That is a falsehood.

You could probably (in reality) get away with replacing everything
but the CDROM audio cable and claim to still have the same
computer you had when you first installed. And technically
speaking - you could replace everything and reinstall and probably
be fine in doing so.

You missed the OEM part of what I said, OEM is tied to the
motherboard if new MB then new license is required.

Not only did I *not* miss it..
That was what I said was incorrect in what you said before and is still
incorrect now.
Nothing ties Windows XP (OEM or not) to the motherboard or any one component
of the system in any text anywhere.

It used to be that people would buy OEM software with a CDROM Audio Cable..
It has always been a grey area as to what constitutes a computer/PC - but I
assure you - it is no ONE component and is certainly not the motherboard
alone.

 

[Guest]

Here is what I've been reading recently, admittly it's lengthy

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

about OEM license and new motherboard